College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
3B45.35 - Shock Wave Fronts
This demo should need no preparation unless the liquids should need changing. To change the liquids it may be necessary to empty the unit with a syringe and long needle. Rinse several times with ethyl alcohol and dry with a small air hose. Use water and food coloring for the bottom layer and castor oil for the top layer. Make sure all air bubbles are removed. Place on a level surface. If the unit has not been used in a long time it may be a good idea to flip it over several times to rewet the inner walls with oil before demonstrating. As the Plexiglas allows water to pass over time, it will be necessary to take the air out and refill with a small amount of water about every year.
- Bob Barrett, "Physics in a Soap Dispenser - Dancing Dolphins", TPT, Vol. 38, # 8, Nov. 2000, p. 480.
- Jodi and Roy McCullough, "Index Refraction with an Ocean Desk Toy", The Role of Toys in Teaching Physics, p. 3.23.
- Robert Ehrlich, "8.17 - Three-Cent Shock Waves", Why Toast Lands Jelly-Side Down, p. 141-142.
Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist. The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose. The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources. Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks. These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage. Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.